Discuss Plutarch's View of Anthony and Cleopatra's Relationship
- Date Submitted: 04/18/2011 02:54 AM
- Flesch-Kincaid Score: 45.8
- Words: 989
- Essay Grade:
no grades
- Report this Essay
Plutarch’s view of the relationship between Antony and Cleopatra seems to comprise
of the key components of any lustrous infatuation, something, which was regarded by
the Romans as showing a weakness of character.
At the start of the extract Plutarch informs us that Cleopatra provides Antony with
‘fresh delight and charm’ providing relief from his usual ‘hours of seriousness or
mirth’, which in itself appears like any normal courtship but he then hastens to add
that she releases him ‘neither night nor day’, which adds an obsessive and intense
passion to their relationship, which is devoid of real love or romance.
Plutarch then follows by saying that Cleopatra keeps Antony in constant ‘tutelage’,
which gives her a more formal almost superior role in their relationship. All talk of
charm and delight is now eradicated as we learn that it is she who is wearing the
proverbial trousers whilst he remains her besotted follower desperate to please and
impress.
Cleopatra is portrayed by Plutarch as having a tremendous hold over Antony. She is
the seductive and manipulative temptress and this grasp that she holds him within is
echoed a number of times throughout the extract. Antony is clearly desperate to
impress her as he fakes his fishing skill, ‘he therefore ordered his fishermen to dive
down and secretly fasten to his hook some fish’ However Cleopatra is no fool and
only pretends to ‘admire her lover’s skill’, which is the only piece of affection shared
between them in the extract and even this display appears maternal without romantic
love.
Antony’s second attempt at impressing Cleopatra is foiled and he suddenly finds
himself made a mockery of. Plutarch has taken this hunter of ‘cities, realms and
continents’ and presented him as a naïve child succumbing to the ‘great laughter’ and
superiority of the adults surrounding him.
The final echo of Cleopatra having...
Comments
Express your owns thoughts and ideas on this essay by writing a grade and/or critique.
Sign Up or Login to your account to leave your opinion on this Essay.
No comments